2008 Vistalba "Corte C" Malbec-Cabernet Sauvignon... $11.99

Sorry it took me so long to post the co-pick for June, I was trying to do a bit of research prior to posting and found it difficult to get to the task. Like my football coach used to tell us; excuses are like bellybuttons, everyone has one.

We tasted this wine at the wine event in May at the Mullis center and it was one of the favorite reds. I have even had a couple of folks re-order even after getting a case of the wine from the tasting. This wine is what I call an over-achiever for sure, which means it brings a HUGE bang for the buck. The nose has some interesting old world qualities to it with a blend of raspberries and cherries, wet leather and some definite stinky notes. This is not a bad thing as most of you know as long as the wine doesn't taste that way... (stinky). Nice round ripe fruit on the front of the palate, this wine really gives you a blast of "I'm serious" on the palate. Believe it or not the wine gains in strength on the mid-palate with dark fruits and hits of pepper on the back end. The wine is silky smooth with sweet tannins and a decent to long finish. I did not like this wine last time I tried it which was a 2006. I wondered why, and noticed that the '06 version was a blend of Malbec and Merlot. I definitely like the Cab blend a whole lot better. This wine is a steal for twelve bucks.   90 points

2009 Seven Hills Winery Riesling, Columbia Valley... $10.99

I recently reviewed the 2008 Riesling giving it a very high score, but like all things wine we are suddenly onto a new vintage. There was a lot of buzz going on about the 2009 version so I was looking forward to giving it a try. I believe that on all levels it equals it's predecessor. Winemaker Casey McClellan seems to have mastered Riesling.

On the nose there is a mouth-watering acidity that penetrates the aromas. Notes of mango, lemon drop, minerality and sugar cane fill the olfactory senses. That beam of acidity welcomes the palate driving the fruit flavors to a razor's edge across the mid-palate. Off-dry the wine offers notes of green Delicious apples, mangoes, sweet lemons and a nice minerality. The finish is clean and delicious lingering around the palate for some time. The only element missing from this Riesling compared to the 2008 is the rubber boot aroma that came through on the nose of the '08 that is barely detectable on the '09. For those of you who shy away from Riesling because of the sweetness, I believe that you will find this quite refreshing able to pair up with shellfish. And for those who like the sweetness all I need to say is that my wife loves this Riesling and she prefers them on the sweeter side. What do you know, a Riesling for everyone. With the weather turning warmer (hopefully) , it is time once again to enjoy that wonderful white wine on the deck or out in the backyard while the BBQ is heating up. Why not make it Seven Hills Columbia Valley Riesling... You will not be disappointed.        98 points